Interlocking device for electric typewriters



Jan. 3, 1967 R. SALTO INTERLOCKING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC TYPEWRITERSOriginal Filed Feb. 19, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

m M T 5W 0 E D//% M T R Jan. 3, 1967 R. SALTO 3,295,653

INTERLOCKING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC TYPEWRITERS Original Filed Feb. 19,1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

fil/Y/ILDO 5M7? WWW United States Patent Office 3,2dfi53 Patented Jan.3, 19d? 3,295,653 INTERLOCKING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIQ TYPEWRITERS RinaldoSalto, Ivrea, Italy, assignor to Ing. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A., Ivrea,ltaly, a corporation of Italy Continuation of abandoned application Ser.No. 346,010, Feb. 19, 1964. This application Jan. 13, 1966, Ser. No.532,026

12 Claims. (Cl. 197-74) The inventive coverage herein embracedconstitutes a continuation of my earlier application Serial No. 346,010filed February 19, 1964, now abandoned.

The invention relates to electric typewriters in general, such as forexample embodying a set of typebars pivotally mounted on a basket, 2.set of operating actions therefor which are individually conditionablefor operating said typebars selectively, a paper carriage, and mechanismconditionable for relatively displacing said basket and said carriage.More particularly, the invention relates to an interlocking device forsaid type actions and mechanism, whereby operations thereof are enforcedto occur appropriately spaced in time to facilitate good typed results.

Generally, in the known typewriters the type actions may be operatedduring a relative displacement of the basket with respect to the papercarriage, for example during the case shifting of the basket, or thespacing of the carriage, controlled by related controls or keys, wherebyimprints are liable to be effected in incorrect locations on the worksheet.

There are known devices for locking the printing keys during thecarriage movements which require a relatively long time, for exampleduring a tabulating stroke or a carriage return. However, such devicesare unsuitable because whenever a printing key is operated too closelyin sequence to the case shift key or the space bar, the printing keysbecome objectionally locked, whereby the productivity of the typist isreduced. Furthermore, these known devices are particularly unsuitablefor high-speed typing operations because the typist must carefully avoidquick successions of operations of keys.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an interlocking devicebetween the type actions and other mechanisms of the machine which issimple, eflicient and reliable in operation and allows a maximum offreedom for key operations.

Another object is to provide efficiently operating interlocking devicesbetween the type actions and other keycontrolled mechanisms withoutlocking the keys for the control of said type actions and said mechanismagainst operation.

A further object is to provide an efficiently operative interlockingdevice between a power-operation control mechanism for the type actionsand a power-operation control mechanism for a spacing device which isnonobstructive to the control keys for such mechanisms.

With the above objects in view there is provided in an electrictypewriter of the above stated kind, an interlocking device betweenoperation-control mechanism for type actions and operation-controlmechanisms for carrying out other functions, comprising in combination,a universal member which responsively to the depression of any printingkey is impositively urged toward an operated position for conditioningthe corresponding one of said type actions, a first element movablyassociated with said universal member for urged movement thereby along afirst path, and a second element which responsively to a function key isimpositively urged along a second path, the paths of said elements beingintersecting each other so that each one of said two elements when movedalong its path is adapted to block or intercept the other elementagainst operation.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of two preferredembodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a right-hand partial longitudinal sectional view of anelectric typewriter embodying an interlocking device according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a right-hand longitudinal sectional view of a first embodimentof the interlocking device according to the invention in the typewriterof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail of FIG. 2 in an operated position;

FIG. 4 is a right-hand longitudinal sectional view of a secondembodiment of the interlocking device according to the invention in thetypewriter of FIG. 1.

The interlocking device according to the invention is embodied in anelectric typewriter of the kind described in the applicants UnitedStates patent application, Serial No. 311,709, now Patent No. 3,151,722dated October 6, 1964, which will be now briefly described.

The typewriter comprises a set of printing keys 30 (FIG. 1), a set oftypebars 7 pivotally mounted on a body or basket 9, and individualoperating actions 12, 11, which are individually conditionable foroperating said typebars 7. At the depression of a control or key 30, acorresponding key lever 31 through a trip lever 28, releases acorresponding enabling element or interponent 19, which then is rockedimpositively counterclockwise by the urge of a suitable spring 26. Theenabling element 19, on one hand, is urged to become coupled with acommon actuator or bar 33 to condition the corresponding type action 12,11 for operation, and further is urged to rock a universal member or bar46 counterclockwise. Thus the bar 46, through a link 51, rocks a bail53, which therefore is impositively urged from a first to a secondposition. An arm 56 of the bail 53 consequently releases a lever 58 forcounterclockwise movement by a spring 61 and there by causes a clutch64, 69 to become engaged, whereby a group of cams 43, 71 and 94,comprising part of a cyclically operable power-means becomes rotated bya continuously rotating motor operated shaft. 70 for a cycle of degrees.

At the beginning of the cycle, the cam 43 releases a lever 39 which isconnected to the bar 33 through a link 38, whereby the bar 33 becomessuddenly power-rocked counterclockwise by a spring 37. The bar 33 drawsnow the coupled enabling element 19 forwards (leftwards in FIG. 1),whereby the corresponding operating action 12, 11 rocks the typebar 7clockwise to effect an impression against a conventional platen 6.

Substantially at the end of the forward movement of the enabling elementH, the cam 94 engages and rocks the lever 58 clockwise to release thearm 56 and render the bail 53 restorable. Simultaneously the cam 71rocks counterclockwise a lever 72 fulcrumed at '73. The lever 72 isconnected by a link 76 to a lever 77 fulcrumed at 78, which is thusrocked in synchronism with the lever 72. Said lever 72, when rocked, isresiliently followed by a lever 89 fulcrumed at 73. The lever 89, in sofollowing, causes a lug 91 to engage another arm 92 of the bail 53. Thisreturns the latter to its first, normal position and in turn returns thebar 46 to its normal FIG. 1 position.

Furthermore, the lever 72, through an arm 180, when operated, engages alug 181 of a bail 182. pivoted at 183. In turn another arm 184 of thebail 182 operates a stepfeeding device in the form of an escapernentmechanism generically indicated by the numeral 121), which cooperates ina known manner with a rack 121 secured to a conventional paper carriage122. Said carriage embodies a usual platen 6 and is spring-urgedleftwards in a conventional manner. Therefore, the escapement mechanism128 may be stated to be operable by a power-mechanism for relativelydisplacing the body 9 and the carriage 122. The escapement mechanism 120when operated causes the carriage 122 to be step-fed by the usualcarriage feed spring, but due to the inertia of the carriage, thestep-feed motion takes place only after the bail 53 upon momentary poweroperation becomes restored.

After the impact of the typebar 7, the cam 43 rocks the lever 39counterclockwise, whereby the bar 33 is restored and the spring 37 isagain tensioned. By this time the cam 94, as clearly evident from saidPatent No. 3,151,722, has allowed the lever 58 to restore, so that theclutch part 64 through encounter of the lever 58, disengages the clutch64, 69 and the cams 43, 71 and 94 are arrested after being rotated 120degrees.

A first embodiment of the interlocking device according to theinvention, as applied to the case shift mechanism of the electrictypewriter summarized above, will now be described.

Each typebar 7 is provided with a lower case type 138 and an upper casetype 129 and the types of either shift case are selectable for potentialprinting coaction with the platen by means of a conventional case shiftmechanism generically indicated by the numeral 123. There fore the easeshift mechanism 123 represents a mechanism conditionable for relativelydisplacing the basket 9 or type system in respect to the carriage 122.To this end the basket 9 is provided with a pair of projections 131 ofwhich the left projection only is shown in FIG. 1. Each projection 131is provided with a slot 132 slidable on a stationary guide pin 133.

Furthermore, the basket 9 is provided with another projection 128connected at 127 to a bail 124 fulcrumed on a stationary shaft 126. Anarm 134 (FIG. 2) of the bail 124 is pin-and-slot connected to a lever136 pivoted at 137. The lever 136 cooperates with a case-shift cam 138rotatably mounted on the motor-driven shaft 76 and adapted to be rotatedthereby for a cycle of 180 degrees by closure of a clutch having a pairof rest locations associated with the upper and the lower case of thebasket 9.

More particularly, said clutch comprises a dog 139 pivoted at 141 on thecase shift cam 138, and a toothed wheel 142 secured to the shaft 78. Thedog 139 is further provided with a cam slot 143 engaging a pin 144 of acontrol plate 146 rotatably mounted on the shaft 78. A spring 147connecting the dog 139 and the plate 146 normally urges the platecounterclockwise on the cam 138, and therefore tends to engage the dog139 with the wheel 142.

A control member for the control plate 146 is yieldably movablecounterclockwise from a first to a second p sition, and is in the formof a bail 151 pivoted on a stationary shaft 152. The bail 151 isprovided with a first arm 149 having a lug 148, which in the firstposition of the bail shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is adapted to open theclutch 139, 142 disengaged through arresting either one of a pair ofdiametrally opposite projections 153 and 154 on the control plate 146.Normally the basket 9 is in its raised lower case position and the lug 148 arrests the projection 152, as shown in FIG. 2.

A spring 163 connecting the lever 136 and the bail 151, on one handurges the lever 136 to contact the cam 138, and on the other hand urgesthe bail 151 to contact its lug 148 with the ends of either one of twolevers 164 and 165 which are independently fulcrumed on a common pivot166. The levers 164 and 165 are urged by a spring 167 toward each otherand are adapted to latch alternately the control member 151 uponmovement to its first position (FIGS. 2 and 3). The two levers 164 and165 are provided respectively with a pin 172, and a pin 173, which areadapted to be engaged by a nose 1'75 of a lever 174 respectively throughoperation and restoration of a case shift lever 177 bearing a key 178.The

lever 177 is pivoted at 176 and has a pin-and-slot connection with thelever 177.

There are provided means power-shiftable by the cam 138, synchronouslywith the basket 9, for alternating the levers 164 and into holdingrelation with the lug 148, so that in the lower-case and the upper-caseposition of said basket respectively the levers 164 and 165 come intoholding relation with the lug 148. Said shiftable means comprise a pin168 secured to a lever 169 which is fulcrumed on the shaft 152 and isnormally urged by a spring 171 to contact the case-shift cam 138.

Furthermore, the bail 151 is provided with a second arm 156 adapted tobe engaged by either of a pair of pins 157 and 158 which are secured tothe cam 138 at diametrally opposite positions for returning the bail 151transitorily to its first position each time the cam 138 nears the endof the half return shifting operation.

Integral with the bail 53, which becomes operated in each instance asany one of the type-action enabling elements '19 moves the bail 46, is afirst element or lug 162 having a right hand intercepting face and alower abutting edge movable along a first path. Integral with an arm159, which is part of the bail 151, is a second element or projection161, which has an upper intercepting edge and a left hand abutting edgeand is movable along a second path intersecting the stated first pathalong which said lug 162 moves.

The case shift mechanism operates as follows.

When the case shift key 178 is depressed, the lever ll77 rocks the lever174 clockwise. The nose 175 of the lever 174 engages the pin 1'72 of thelever 164, which is rocked counterclockwise to the position shown bybroken tines in FIG. 2 and releases the lug 148 of the bail 151. Now thespring 163 rocks the bail 151 counterclockwise to its second position,thus placing the projection 161 into the path of the lug 162 of the bail53. The projection 153 of the plate 146 is thus released by the lug 148,and the spring 147 through the plate 146 and the pin 144 caus s the dog139 to engage the wheel 142.

The dog 139 is now rotated counterclockwise together with the cam 138and the plate 146. The cam 138 by means of the lever 136 rocks the bail124 counterclockwise, whereby the bail 124 shifts the basket 9 (PEG. 1)downwards to the upper case position. Simultaneously, the cam 138 (FIG.2) causes the lever 169 to be rocked clockwise by the spring 171, andthe pin 168 is brought to contact the rocked lever 164. The lever 165 isnow urged counterclockwise by the spring 1167, but it is temporarilyarrested by the lug 148.

Near the end of the cycle of degrees of the clutch 139, 142, the pin 157of the cam 138 engages the arm 156 and returns the bail 151 positivelyto its first position. The bail 151 thus brings its projection 161 outof the path of the lug 162. Simultaneously, the lug 148 of the bail 151releases the lever 165 which is suddenly brought to the position of FIG.3 to lock the lug 148 again in its first position. Finally the lug 148arrests the projection 154 of the plate 146, whereby the clutch 139, 142is disengaged and the case shift basket or body 9 now IfiS in upper caselowered position.

When the case shift key 178 (FIG. 2) is released, the lever 174 isreturned counterclockwise and its nose 175 engages the pin 173 of thelever 165, which is returned clockwise and releases the lug 148. Thebail 151 is now rocked again by the spring 163 and places its projection161 into the path of the lug 162 of the bail 53. Furthermore the bail151 releases the projection 154 of the clutch control plate 146 from thelug 148, whereby the clutch 139, 142 is engaged again.

The cam 138 is now further rotated through 180 degrees from the positionof FIG. 3 to the position of FIG.- 2, and causes the lever 136 to berocked counterclockwise. The lever 136 by means of the bail 124 nowshifts the basket 9 upwards to its lower case position. Simul taneously,the earn 138 rocks the lever 169 counterclockwise, whereby the pin 168contacts the lever 165 to move it and hold it in the position shown inFIG. 2, While the lever 164 descends idly to overlie temporarily the lug148. Near the end of the cycle, the pin 158 of the cam 138 transitorilyacts on the arm 156 'of the bail 151 to cause the end of the lever 164to become held by the lug 148 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the projection161 stands now out of the path of the lug 162, while the lug 148 is inposition to arrest the plate 146 by its projection 153 in the positionof FIG. 2, thereby to open the clutch 139, 142.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that if the bail 53 has beenrocked counterclockwise by the depression of a printing key 30 to causea type action 12, 1-1 to be operated, the lug 162 is placed in the pathof the projection 161, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by broken lines. Ifwith this condition prevailing the case shift key 178 is now eitherdepressed or released the bail 151 becomes freed by the lever 164 or thelever 165, whichever has held it, and thus tends to become movedclockwise by the spring 163, but the lug 162 blocks the projection 161and thus the bail 150, so that at such time no case shift will ensue.However as the typing operation progresses beyond the printing place,the bail 53 becomes automatically returned clockwise to its first,normal position, so that the lug 162 moves to its FIG. 2 position, outof blocking relation of the lug 161. It follows now that at such timethe bail 151 is delayedly permitted to become operated by its spring 163to cause a cyclic operation of the case shift cam 138 and the mechanismcontrolled thereby.

The situation will now be described wherein, with the bail 53 standingin normal position, the bail 151 has been rocked counterclockwise inresponse to depressing or releasing the case shift key 178, and then atype key 30 is depressed before the case shift operation is completed.In such situation the bail 151 becomes spring rocked to place theprojection 161 thereon into the path of the lug 62 of the bail 63. Ifnow through a depression of a printing key 30, its associatedtype-action enabling element 19 is released to the urge of its spring26, the projection 161 will stand blockingly in the way of the lug 162,to prevent the bail 53 from being rocked counterclockwise by theuniversal member 46, so that the clutch 64, 69 (FIG. 1) cannot engage.The bail 53 becomes rocked by the spring 26 of the released interponent19, only when the bail 151 (FIG. 2) becomes automatically restoredclockwise by either the pin 157 or 158, that is at the end of theoperation of the case shift mechanism. The operation of thecorresponding type action is thus delayed until the basket 9 reacheseither the upper case or the lowercase position, but the type key is notaffected by said delay.

It is thus clear that each one of the two elements, constituted by thelug 162 of the bail 53 and the projection 161 of the bail 151, whenmoved out of their rest position is adapted, for the duration of itsoperation, to block the other element against operation but the keys towhich said elements may respond are free to be operated.

A second embodiment of the interlocking device according to theinvention, applied to the space bar controlled spacing mechanism of theelectric typewriter summarized above, will now be described.

The escapement mechanism 120 (FIG. 1) for the carriage 122 may beconditioned for operation independently of the lever 72, at thedepression of a conventional space bar 185 (FIG. 4). The bar 185 issecured to a lever 186 which is pivoted at 187 and is pin-and-slotconnected to a lever 188, which is pivoted on a stationary shaft 189.The lever 188 is normally contacted by a pin 194 of another lever 195pivoted on the shaft 189 and connected to the lever 188 by a spring 196.The lower end of the lever 188 is normally contacted by a lug 190 of acontrol member or bail 191 which is fulcrumed at 192 and urged clockwiseby a spring 193. The bail 191 is provided with a projection 202 normallyarresting any one of three llllgS 203 of a clutch controlling ring 204.The latter is connected by two levers 208 and a dog 209 to a cam 205rotatably mounted on the shaft 70. A spring 211 urges the ring 204counterclockwise and the dog 209 tends to engage a toothed wheel 210secured to the shaft 70. A bail 212 pivoted on the shaft 73 is normallyurged by a spring 213 to contact the earn 205 and is provided with anarm 214 adapted to engage the lug 181 of the bail 182 (FIG. 1) foroperating the escapement mechanism similarly as: the arm of the lever'72 is capable to operate it.

The bail 191 is further provided with an arm 215 adapted to cooperatewith a cam 216, which is bodily rotatable with the cam 205. Integralwith the bail 53 is a first element or projection 221 having a left handintercepting edge and a lower abutting edge movable along a first path.A second element comprising a lug 219 is integral with an arm 218 of thebail 191 and has an upper intercepting face and a right hand abuttingedge movable along a second path intersecting said first path. Finally,fulcrumed on the shaft 189 is a bail 198 having an arm 199 pin-and-slotconnected to the lever 77 and another arm 197, which is adapted tocooperate with the lug of the bail 191.

At the depression of the space bar 185, the lever 186 rocks the lever188 clockwise and releases the lug 190 of the bail 191, while the leveris urged by the spring 196 to contact the lug 190. Now the spring 193rocks the bail 191 yieldably clockwise and places its lug 219 into thepath of the projection 221 of the bail 53. The bail 191 in being rockedmoves the projection 202 toward the lug 203 of the ring 204, whereby thespring 211 causes the dog 209 to engage the wheel 210, and the cams 205and 216 are responsively rotated counterclockwise for a cycle of 120degrees. Now the cam 205 rocks the bail 212 counterclockwise, wherebythe arm 214 engages the lug 181 and operates the escapement mechanism120 (FIG. 1) to step-feed the carriage 122.

Near the end of the cycle the cam 216 (FIG. 4) operates the arm 215 torock the bail 191 counterclockwise, thus returning the lug 219 out ofthe path of the projection 221, and, furthermore, moving the projection202 to intercept the clutch-controlling ring 204 by one of its lugs 203to cause the clutch 209, 210 to open. If at that time the operator hasreleased the space key 185, then the lever 188 will assume its normalFIGURE 4 position. Should the operator prolon'gedly hold the space keyoperated, the lever 195 springs into a position to overlie the lug 190to temporarily lock the bail 191 in its restored position pen-ding therelease of the space key, thereby to prevent repeat spacing cycles.

If at the instant when a printing key 30 (FIG. 1) is depressed, the bail191 (FIGURE 4) stands rocked clockwise due to a depression of the spacebar 185, then the type action enabling element 19, although released byits latch, will stand blocked by the universal member 46 in view of thelatter being movably tied to the bail 53, which by its projection 221stands: blocked by the lug 219 (FIG. 4) of the operated bail 191. Thenthe enabling element 19 related to the operated type key is able tocause a typing operation only when the cam 21 6 returns the bail 191counterclockwise.

Conversely, if at the instant when the space bar or key 185 isdepressed, the bail 53 stands rocked counterclockwise, in response to adepression of a printing key (FIG. 1), then the lug 219 of the bail 191stands blocked by the projection 221 on the bail 53 and the lug 203 willnot release the clutch control ring 204, so that an escapement operatingcycle cannot take place at this time.

The bail 53 is returned at the end of the printing stroke of the typeaction, by the counterclockwise rotation of the lever 72 which issubstantially before the spacing step of the carriage accompanying atyping operation can occur, through the lever 180 which is poweractuated by the cyclic cam 71 associated with the typing mechanism. Itwill thus be seen that so far as the projection 22 (FIG. 4) on the bail53 is concerned it would allow a too early release of the bail 191 bythe space key 185 to institute a carriage escapement operation throughcycling action of the space actuating cam 205. Obviously, it isdesirable to suppress the cycling action of the space operating cam 205until the carriage incidental to a typing operation has executed itsstep. To this end the bail 198 is provided, which throughcounterclockwise actuation of the lever 77, by the lever 72 (FIG. 1) andthe link '76 becomes rocked and places the arm 1%7 (FIG. 4) of said bail198 into the path of the lug 9 of the bail 190, thus holding it. Whenthereafter cam 71 associated with the typing mechanism concludes itscyclic advance and the lever 72 restores, the arm 197 moves from overthe lug 190. In this manner, it is made certain that the space key 185cannot trip the bail 191 to operated position while the carriage takes astep as a result of a typing operation.

It will now be clear that responsively to the depression of any type key30, the universal member 46 becomes impositively urged toward operatedposition, that responsively to the depression or release of the caseshift key 178 the member 151 becomes impositively urged toward op eratedposition, and that responsively to the depression of the space key 185the member 191 becomes impositive 1y urged toward an operated position.However of the members 46 and 151, only one at a time can move tooperated position, and this applied in respect to the members 46 and191. In reference to the members 46 and 151 means controlled by thesesaid members and cooperative therebetween is provided so that alwaysthat one of such member which precedingly to the other becomes urgedtoward operated position causes instantly and for the duration of itsautomatically trimed interval of operation, the blocking of the othermember against operation. If the member 46 is operated there will be apower typing operation. If the member 151 is operated there will be apower case-shift-operation from lower case to upper case, or vice versa,depending on whether the case shift key was operated or released. In thecourse of such power operation, Whether it be a power typing or a powercase shifting operation, the member 46 or 151, whichever was operated,will be automatically restored after the given time interval ofoperation. The blocking ceases when the operated member restores and theother member will automatically become operated, if it is then underurge to do so. From this it follows that the operations of the type keys30 in reference to the operation or the restoration of the case shiftkey 178 need not be carefully spaced in time to assure non-conflictingoperations of the mechanisms controlled thereby. Moreover, there is nointerference between depressions of the keys 30 and 178.

Between the members 46 and 191 which respectively in response tooperations of the typing keys 30 and the spacing key 185 come underimpositive operating urge, there is a means 212, 219 cooperativetherebetween and controlled thereby, so that always that one of themembers 46 and 191 which precedingly to the other is urged towardoperated position causes instantly the blocking of the other memberagainst operation. The purpose is similar as explained in reference totyping and case shifting, namely the operation of the member 46 blocksthe operation of the member 191, and vice versa.

However, incidental to a typing operation, the member 191 preferablyshould be blocked beyond the time which the universal member 46 isrestored. This is accomplished by means including the bail 198, which iscontrolled by the power means for effecting power typing operations, torender the member 191 for a while blocked against operation each timethe universal member 46 is restored in the course of a typing operation.

It is intended that modifications, improvements and addition of partsmay be made to the described device without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

What I claim is:

1. In an electric typewriter having a set of type levers pivotallymounted on a basket, a set of type actions individually conditionablefor operating the corresponding one of said type levers, a papercarriage, a depressible case shift key, and a mechanism operable forcase shifting said basket with respect to said carriage between a uppercase and a lower case thereof, and interlocking device for said typeactions and said mechanism, comprising in combination:

(a) a universal member normally yieldably movable from a first to asecond position at the depression of each printing key of conditioningthe corresponding one of said type actions for operation,

(b) means for returning said unversal member to said first position atthe end of said operation,

(c) a clutch having a pair of rest locations associated with said upperand lower case, said clutch being engageable for power operating saidmechanism,

((1) a control member normally located in a first position to hold saidclutch disengaged in either of said locations,

(e) yieldable means for moving said control member from said firstposition to a second position to cause said clutch to be engaged,

(f) a pair of levers fulcrumed on a common pivot and adapted toalternately lock said control member in said first position, said pairof levers being operated by said case shift key for releasing saidcontrol member,

(g) means comprised in said mechanism for returning said control memberto said first position at the end of its shifting operation,

(h) means shiftable simultaneously with said basket for alternating said.pair of levers in locking said control member,

(i) a first element integral with said universal member, and having anintercepting portion and an abutting portion movable along a first path,

(j) and a second element integral with said control member and having anintercepting portion and an abutting portion movable along a second partintersecting said first path,

(k) each one of said two elements when located in the correspondingsecond position placing the intercepting portion into the path of theabutting portion of the other element to lock said other element.

2. In a power operated typewriter, the combination with two mechanismscapable of operation to carry out different functions:

(a) two normally idle, cyclically operable power means individual tosaid two mechanisms to cause them to carry out their functions,

(b) means to call each of said two cyclically operable power meansindividually into operation, comprising for each said power means,

(b an individual member related to each one of said two power means andmovable from a normal to an operated position to facilitate a cyclicoperation of its related power means,

(b an actuatable control related to one member,

(b an actuatable control related to the other member,

(b and means individually responsive to said controls to urge instantlythe related movable member impositively toward the operated position,

(c) means controlled by each cyclic-ally operable power means during itsoperation to restore its related member automatically after a given timeinterval of operation,

(d) and blocking means controlled by said members to permit normallymovement of either of such members from normal to operated position butbeing instantly eouditionable by initial, urged movement of either ofsaid members from normal toward operated position to block instantly theother member against movement from normal position, either of saidmembers when upon operation becoming automatically restored by saidrestoring means, restoring also said conditionable blocking means,whereby responsively the other of said members becomes automaticallyunblocked and moved to operated position if the control related to suchother member has been operated.

3. In combination with a power operated typewriter comprising a systemof individually operable typebars, a typebar supporting body, a platen,individually operating actions for said typebars, and a power mechanismadapted to be called into operation to effect a relative displacementbetween said body and said platen:

(a) means to cause selectively power strokes of said actions,comprising,

(a an enabling element for each action operable impositively from anormal to a typing-strokecausing position,

(a selectively operable control means related to said enabling elements,

(a and means responsive to selective operations of said control means tourge said enabling ele ments selectively but impositively towardtypingstroke-c'ausing positions,

(b) a universal member operable from a normal to an operated positionthrough operation of any of said enabling elements toward theirtyping-stroke-causing positions,

(c) means to call said power mechanism into operation,

comprising:

(c another member movable from a normal to an operated position,

(c an actuatable control means,

(c and means adapted to respond instantly to said actuatable controlmeans to urge said movable member impositively toward operated position,

(d) means to restore each of said members to its normal position afteran automatically timed interval of operation,

(e) and blocking means controlled by said members to permit normallymovement of either of said members from normal to operated position, butbeing instantly conditionable by initial, urged movement of either ofsaid members from normal toward operated position to block instantly theother member against movement from normal position for the duration ofits automatically timed interval of operation.

4. In combination with a power operated typewriter having a system ofindividually operable type bars a supporting body for said type bars, aplaten, operating actions for said type bars, and a power mechanismoperable for effecting a relative ease shift displacement between saidbody and said platen,

(a) means to cause selectively power operations of said actions,comprising:

(a an enabling element for each said action impositively movable from anormal to a typing stroke causing position,

(a selectively actuatable control means related to said enablingelement,

(a and means responsive to selective iactuations of said control meansto urge said enabling elements selectively but impositively towardtypingstroke-causing positions,

(b) a universal member subject instantly to impositively urged operationfrom a normal to an operated position by said impositively urgedmovement of any of said elements to its typing-stroke-causing position,

(0) means to cause a power operation of said mechanism, comprising:

(c another member movable from a normal to an operated position, tocause a power operation of said mechanism,

(c an actuatable control means related to said other member,

(c means responsive to said aetuatable control means to urge instantlysaid other movable member impositively toward operated position,

(d) means to restore each of said members automatically to its normalposition after a timed interval of operation,

(e) and blocking means controlled by said universal member and saidother member to permit normally movement of either of such members fromnormal to operated position but being instantly conditionable byinitial, urged movement of either of said members from normal towardoperated position to block instantly the other member against movementfrom normal position, but without blocking either of said control means,either of said members when upon operation becoming automaticallyrestored by said restoring means, restoring also said oonditionablemeans to its normal condition, whereby responsively the other of saidmembers becomes automatically unblocked and is moved to operatedposition by its related urging means if the control means related tosuch other member has been operated.

5. In combination with a power operated typewriter having a system ofindividually operable typebars, a supporting body for said typebars, aplaten, operating actions for said typebars, and a mechanism operablefor elfecting a relative ease shift displacement between said body andsaid platen,

(a) means to cause selectively power operation of said actions,comprising:

(a an enabling element of each said action impositively movable from anormal to a typingstroke-causing position,

(a an individual latch for each enabling element and detaining itnormally against movement to a typingstroke-causing position,

(a resilient means individually related to said enabling elements tourge each toward its typingstroke-causing position,

(a and a type key to release each latch and thereby to cause its relatedenabling element to be urged toward typing-stroke-causing position byits related resilient means,

(b) a universal member subject instantly to urged operation impositivelyfrom a norm-a1 to tan operated position by any of said enabling elementsbeing urged by its resilient means to its typing-stroke-causingposition,

(c) means to cause a power operation of said mechanism, comprising,

(c another member movable from a normal to an operated position, tocause a power operation of said mechanism,

(c another latch related to said other member and detaining it normallyin normal position,

(0 resilient means related to said other member to urge it toward itsoperated position, and

(c a key to release the latch related to said other member to render thelatter capable of instant operation by its related resilient means,

(d) means to return each of said members automatically to normalposition after a timed interval of operation,

(e) and blocking means controlled by said universal member and saidother member to permit normally movement of either of such members fromnormal to operated position but being instantly conditionable byinitial, urged movement of either of said member from normal towardoperated position to block instantly the other member against movementfrom normal position, but without blocking either of said key or keys,either of said members when upon operation becoming automaticallyrestored by said restoring means, restoring also said conditionablemeans to its normal condition, whereby responsively the other of saidmembers becomes automatically unblocked and is moved to operatedposition by its related resilient urging means if a key related to suchmember has been operated to release the latch therefor.

6. In a power-operated typewriter having a system of individuallyoperable typebars, a supporting body for said typebars, a platen,operating actions for said typebars, power means to operate said actionsand power case-shift means capable alternately of operation to shiftsaid body relatively to said platen to occupy in respect theretoalternately one or another of two case shift positions:

(a) an enabling element for each of said actions, impositively movablefrom a normal to an operated position to cause said power means tooperate the related action,

( b) selectively operable control means related to said enablingelements,

() means responsive to selective operations of said control means tourge said enabling elements selectively toward typing-stroke-causingpositions,

((1) a universal member subject to impositively urged operation from anormal to an operated position by the urged movement of any of saidelements to operated position,

(e) means to return said universal member automatically to normalposition after a timed interval of operation,

(-f) another member operable from a normal to an operated position andcontrollingly associated with said power case-shift means so that eachoperation of such other member to operated position causes the powercase-shift means to effect a relative case-shift between said body andsaid platen, said relative easeshift being alternately between said twocase-shift positions,

(g) means associated with said power case-shift means,

to restore said other member to normal position automatically as anincident to each said relative caseshifts,

(h) case-shift control means related to said other memher and beingactuatable and restorable,

(i) means mutually controlled by said case-shift control means and saidpower case-shift means so that incident to each actuation and eachrestoration of said case-shift cotnrol means, the said other member isimpositively urged toward operated position for trying to cause arelative case-shift position, by said power case-shift meansrespectively to said one or said other of said two case-shift positions,

(j) and means cooperative between said universal member and said othermember, so that on one hand for the duration of the operation of saiduniversal member, the other member is blocked against operation and sothat on the other hand for the duration of operation of said othermember the said universal member is blocked against operation, wherebyas soon as either of said members upon operation becomes automaticallyrestored, the other of said members, if already under urge towardoperated position, will then responsively become moved to operatedposition.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6, said mutually controlled meanscomprising,

(i a spring tending to move said other member to its operated position,

(i a first latch conditionable by said power-caseshift means ineffecting a case shift to said one caseshift position, to detain saidother member automatically in normal position upon movement thereto,

(i a second latch conditionable by said power-caseshift means ineffecting case shift to said other caseshift position, to detain saidother member also automatically in normal position upon movementthereto,

(i and means controlled by said case-shift control means in beingrespectively actuated and restored, to release respectively said firstlatch and said second latch.

8. In combination with a power-operated typewriter having a platen, asystem of types, means correlating said platen with said system of typesfor relative step-feed travel, and a device operable to cause relativestep-feed travel between said platen and said system of types;

(a) power-means adapted to be rendered selectively operative to effectmovement of different of said types to print against said platen at aprinting point which is common to said system of types,

(b) means to render said power-means selectively operative, comprising,

(b a series of elements selectively movable to cause said power means toeffect movement of different types of said printing point,

(b and control means selectively operable to urge selective movements ofsaid elements,

(c) a universal member normally adapted to be moved from a normal to anoperated position by the urged movement of any of said elements to itstyping-strokecausing position,

(d) another power means to operate transitorily said step-feeding deviceand being normally idle,

(e) another member movable from a normal to an operated position tocause an operation of said stepfeeding device by said other power means,

(f) a control related to said step-feeding device,

(g) means responsive to the operation of said control to urge said othermember impositively toward operated position,

(b) means to render said universal member after each instance of itsope-rations, automatically restored to its normal position after atime-d interval of operation in which said power means has becomeselectively operative,

(i) means to render said other member after each instance of itsoperation, automatically restored to its normal position after a timedinterval of operation,

(j) and means controlled by said members and cooperative therebetween sothat always that one of such members which precedingly to the otherbecomes urged toward operated position is instantly and for the drationof its automatically timed interval of operation, instrumental to blockthe other member against operation, whereby when either of said membersbecomes restored after its timed interval of operation, it will cease toblock the other against operation.

9. The invention set forth in claim 8,

(k) means to operate said stepfeeding device automatically by operationof said first power means each time after it has effected a movement ofa type against said platen,

(k said means to render said universal member restored comprising saidfirst power means and being effective each time before said step-feedingis operated by an operation of such first power means,

(1) and means controlled by said first power means during each of itsoperations to render said other member for 'a whole further blockedafter said universal member is restored.

it In combination with a power-operated typewriter having a system oftypebars, operating actions individual to said type-bars, a platen,means movably correlating said system of type-bars and said platen forrelative step- 13 feed travel, and a device operable to cause relativestepfeed between said system of typebars and said platen;

(a) power means operate said operating actions but being normallyineffective,

(b) means to cause power operations of said operating actions by saidpower means, comprising,

(b an enabling element for each said operating actions adapted formovement from a normal to a typing-stroke-causing position,

(b selectively operable control means for said enabling elements,

(b means responsive to selective operations of said control means tourge selectively said elements toward typing-stroke-causing positions,

(c) a universal member normally adapted to be moved from a normal to anoperated position by any of said elements being urged to itstyping-stroke-causing position,

(d) another power means to operate transitorily said step-feeding-deviceand being normally idle,

(e) another member movable from a normal to an operated position tocause an operation of said stepfeeding-device by said other power means,

(f) a control related to said step-feeding device,

(g) means responsive to the operation of said control to urge said othermember impositively toward operated position,

( h) means to render said universal member after such instance of itsoperation, automatically restored to its normal position after a timedinterval of operation in which said power means has become selectivelyoperative,

(i) means to render said other member after each instance of itsoperation, automatically restored to its normal position after a timedinterval of operation,

(j) and means controlled by said members and cooperative therebetween sothat always that one of such members which precedingly to the otherbecomes urged toward operated position is instantly and for the durationof its automatically timed interval of operation, instrumental to blockthe other member against operation, whereby when either of said membersbecomes restored after its timed interval of operation, it will cease toblock the other against oper- .ation.

11. In combination with a power operated typewriter comprising a systemof typebars, operating actions individual to said typebars, a platen,means correlating said system of typebars and said platen for relativeletter-feed travel, a device operable for relatively letter-feeding saidplaten in respect to the system of typebars, and means to operate saiddevice in accompaniment with each typebar operation,

(a) a means to cause selectively power-operations of said actions,comprising:

(a an enabling element for each of said actions,

impositively movable from a normal to a typingstroke-causing position,

(a selectively actuatable control means related to said enablingelements,

(a and means responsive to selective actuations of said control means tourge said enabling elements selectively but impositively towardtypingstroke-causing positions,

(b) a universal member subject to impositively urged operation from anormal to an operated position by any of said elements totyping-stroke-causing position,

(c) a normally inactive power mechanism adapted to operate saidletter-feeding device,

(d) means to cause a power-operation of said power mechanism,comprising,

(d another member movable from a normal to 14 an operated position,thereby to cause a power operation of said device,

(d another actu-atable control means related to said other member,

(d and means responsive to actuation of said other control means to urgesaid other member impositively toward operated position,

(e) means to return each of said members automatically to its normalposition after a timed interval of operation,

(f) and blocking means controlled by said universal member and saidother member to permit normally movement of either of such members fromnormal to operated position but being instantly conditionable byinitial, urged movement of either of said members from normal towardoperated position to block instantly the other member against movementfrom normal position, but without blocking either of said control means,either of said members when upon operation becoming automaticallyrestored by said restoring means, restoring also said conditionablemeans to its normal condition, whereby responsively the other of saidmembers becomes automatically unblocked and is moved to operatedposition by its related urging means if the control means related tosuch other member has been operated.

12. In combination with a power-operated typewriter having a platen, asystem of types, spacing device correlating said platen with said systemof types for relative step-feed travel, and a device operable to causerelative stepfeed travel between said platen and said system of yp (a)power-means adapted to be rendered selectively operative to effectmovement of diiferent of said types to a printing point which is commonto said system of types,

(b) means to render said power means selectively operative, comprising:

(b a series of selector elements related to said (b individual latchesassociated with said selector elements to detain them normally inineffective, normal positions,

(b resilient means individually urging said selector elementsimpositively to effective positions,

(b and control means to release said latches selectively and therebynormally adapted to cause movements of said selector elements by saidresilient means selectively to eflective positions to cause said powermeans to effect movements of said types selectively to said printingpoint,

(c) a universal member normally free for movement from a normal to anoperated position through any of said elements when being urged toeffective positions,

(d) means to restore said universal member automatically after a timedinterval of operation and thereby adapted to restore any previouslyreleased selective element to its latch,

(e) another member normally free for movement from a normal to anoperated position,

(f) a latch associated with said other member to detain it normally innormal position,

(g) resilient means to urge said other member to operated position,

(h) a key operable to release the latch which is associated with saidother member, whereby normally said other member will be urged to assumeits operated position,

(i) another power-means,

(j) means responsive to the movement of said other member to operatedposition to render said other power means efiective first to operatesaid spacing 3,295,653 l5 l6 device and then adapted after a timedinterval to References Cited by the Examiner restore automatically theother member to its latch, (k) and means controlled by said two membersand UNITED STATES PATENTS cooperative therebetween so that always thatone of 1 703 0 4 19 Kaemmel 197 17 X of such members which precedinglyto the other be- 5 44339 1 3 n 197 112 comes urged toward ope-ratedposition causes in- 3,151,722 10/1964 Salto 197 17 stantly and for theduration of its automatically timed interval of operation, the blockingof the other ROBERT E, PULFREY, Primary Examiner. member againstoperation, whereby when either of said members becomes automaticallyrestored, the 10 BURR, Assistant Examinerother will become operated ifit is under urge to do so.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,295,653 January 3, 1967 Rinaldo Salto error appears in the abovenumbered pat- It is hereby certified that at the said Letters Patentshould read as ent requiring correction and th corrected below.

In the heading to the printed specification, after line 8, insert Claimspriority, application Italy, Feb. 21, 1963 3741/63 Signed and sealedthis 3rd day of October 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNE] Commissioner ofPatents

1. IN AN ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER HAVING A SET OF TYPE LEVERS PIVOTALLYMOUNTED ON A BASKET, A SET OF TYPE ACTIONS INDIVIDUALLY CONDITIONABLEFOR OPERATING THE CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID TYPE LEVERS, A PAPERCARRIAGE, A DEPRESSIBLE CASE SHIFT KEY, AND A MECHANISM OPERABLE FORCASE SHIFTING SAID BASKET WITH RESPECT TO SAID CARRIAGE BETWEEN A UPPERCASE AND A LOWER CASE THEREOF, AND INTERLOCKING DEVICE FOR SAID TYPEACTIONS AND SAID MECHANISM, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A UNIVERSALMEMBER NORMALLY YIELDABLY MOVABLE FROM A FIRST TO A SECOND POSITION ATTHE DEPRESSION OF EACH PRINTING KEY OF CONDITIONING THE CORRESPONDINGONE OF SAID TYPE ACTIONS FOR OPERATION, (B) MEANS FOR RETURNING SAIDUNVERSAL MEMBER TO SAID FIRST POSITION AT THE END OF SAID OPERATION, (C)A CLUTCH HAVING A PAIR OF REST LOCATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID UPPER ANDLOWER CASE, SAID CLUTCH BEING ENGAGEABLE FOR POWER OPERATING SAIDMECHANISM, (D) A CONTROL MEMBER NORMALLY LOCATED IN A FIRST POSITION TOHOLD SAID CLUTCH DISENGAGED IN EITHER OF SAID LOCATIONS, (E) YIELDABLEMEANS FOR MOVING SAID CONTROL MEMBER FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO ASECOND POSITION TO CAUSE SAID CLUTCH TO BE ENGAGED, (F) A PAIR OF LEVERSFULCRUMED ON A COMMON PIVOT AND ADAPTED TO ALTERNATELY LOCK SAID CONTROLMEMBER IN SAID FIRST POSITION, SAID PAIR OF LEVERS BEING OPERATED BYSAID CASE SHIFT KEY FOR RELEASING SAID CONTROL MEMBER, (G) MEANSCOMPRISED IN SAID MECHANISM FOR RETURNING SAID CONTROL MEMBER TO SAIDFIRST POSITION AT THE END OF ITS SHIFTING OPERATION, (H) MEANS SHIFTABLESIMULTANEOUSLY WITH SAID BASKET FOR ALTERNATING SAID PAIR OF LEVERS INLOCKING SAID CONTROL MEMBER, (I) A FIRST ELEMENT INTEGRAL WITH SAIDUNIVERSAL MEMBER, AND HAVING AN INTERCEPTING PORTION AND AN ABUTTINGPORTION MOVABLE ALONG A FIRST PATH, (J) AND A SECOND ELEMENT INTEGRALWITH SAID CONTROL MEMBER AND HAVING AN INTERCEPTING PORTION AND ANABUTTING PORTION MOVABLE ALONG A SECOND PART INTERSECTING SAID FIRSTPATH, (K) EACH ONE OF SAID TWO ELEMENTS WHEN LOCATED IN THECORRESPONDING SECOND POSITION PLACING THE INTERCEPTING PORTION INTO THEPATH OF THE ABUTTING PORTION OF THE OTHER ELEMENT TO LOCK SAID OTHERELEMENT.